A peek at the incredible lineup at the new Performing Arts Center at City Springs

STORY: H.M. Cauley

Arts and culture lovers looking for music, dance, outdoor movies, author lectures and other ways to be entertained need travel no farther than the new gem of Sandy Springs. The Performing Arts Center at City Springs opened in August, yet in the few months since then, it’s already established itself as one of the premier venues in metro Atlanta.

The complex boasts two stages: the Byers Theatre (pictured), with seats for 1,075, and the Studio Theatre, an intimate, black-box setting for 400. Both have schedules that are quickly filling with not-to-be-missed performances. In addition to the national acts that will be on stage, the center has joined forces with several local arts organizations to bring their special talents to the venue at various times throughout the year. Look for Broadway favorites such as Elf the Musical and South Pacific from the City Springs Theatre Company, classic and contemporary dance from the Roswell Dance Theatre and the Atlanta Ballet, and select performances by the Atlanta Opera.

The complete lineup can be found online at citysprings.com, but here’s a look at some of the upcoming events that showcase the variety of talent that will be in town.

OCT. 11: Late Night Tailgate. Live comedy centered on what’s happening now in sports and pop culture.

OCT. 13: Rob Bell. The popular podcaster and author of Love Wins and What is the Bible? talks about his work.

DEC. 22: Boston Brass– Christmas Bells Are Swingin’. This jazzy ensemble rings in the end of the year with big band and holiday classics.

DEC. 31: New Year’s Celebration with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Trumpeter Joe Gransden and singer Francine Reed join forces with the ASO in an evening of celebratory music that ends with a Champagne toast at midnight.

JAN. 29: Simone Dinnerstein and Matt Haimovitz. Pianist Dinnerstein and cellist Haimovitz, also noted for their contemporary compositions, present several of their own works.

FEB. 1: Broadway’s Next Hit Musical. Improv comedy moves to another level with this unscripted show that turns into a musical that’s different at every performance.

FEB. 5: Cirque Éloize: Saloon. The Wild West is the theme of this family show that blends music with acrobatics.

MAR. 14: Exploring Mars with NASA Engineer Kobie Boykins. The supervisor of the mobility and remote-sensing teams for the Curiosity rover discusses all things Martian.

APR. 3: Isaac Ben Israel: The Cyber Revolution and the Next Steps. The retired major general of the Israeli Defense Forces discusses the latest issues in cybersecurity.